Page 75 of The Quit List
“You’re into her,” I say. It’s not a guess, it’s a statement of fact.
Aaron shakes his head staunchly—a man in denial. “No way. It would never happen.”
“I get it,” I tell him gently. “It sucks to have feelings that aren’t reciprocated.”
Of course I get it. I’ve been in that exact situation, know how that story goes all too well. Intense sparks that will never lead anywhere real… that’s exactly how I feel about Jax.
I mean Dylan.
Frick.
How much alcohol was in this stupid cocktail?
Aaron looks almost regretful as he studies me. “I’m sorry, Holly. You seem like a really nice person, and I’ve just gone and screwed this up, haven’t I?”
I laugh. “No, not at all. We can be friends and have another drink together, what do you say? You can even tell me about Olivia, if you like.”
“Wow, that makes me sound like a total mess.” His lips slide into a smile. “But, deal. What can I get for you?”
I ask for another Long Island Iced Tea—because, clearly, my alcohol-addled mind needs more alcohol right now. As he flags down one of the waitstaff to place our order, I slip my phone out of my bag.
Another bust, he’s totally into someone else.
The reply comes through much quicker than I expected—it’s bound to be a busy Saturday night at Full Moon.
I’m sorry, Holly.
It’s okay. I’m actually having fun!
And I am. It wasn’t quite the fireworks I was hoping for with Aaron—especially given his whole hot hockey player prowess—but the man’s heart is clearly elsewhere. And I can’t exactly blame him for that.
My second cocktail arrives, and I drain half of it in a couple of gulps.
25
HOLLY
I finish my second Long Island Iced Tea in record time, and I am soon feeling the effects of these “straight liquor” cocktails.
Across the table from me, Aaron—who’s had a few drinks too, I’m guessing—is laughing uproariously along with me at our own patheticness.
He told me about how Olivia hates him, but he can’t bring himself to hate her.
I, in turn, told him all about my Dylan saga. I also maybe briefly mentioned that I’m now fighting feelings I shouldn’t be having for someone else.
Namely… a certain bartender who must not be named.
Is this my lot in life? To only like men who are totally unavailable and not into me?
Because my date with Aaron is by far the best date I’ve been on yet… and he’s in love with someone else.
At some point, we rejoin the big group on the couch, and I’m feeling warm inside as I loll my head on Aubrey’s shoulder. She’s texting Alec, who’s about to come off his shift in the ER. “Are you ready to go?” she asks.
I shake my head against her shoulder. “No, I’m having fun. You go ahead, though. I’ll take a Lyft home later.”
“I don’t know?—”
“I’m fine,” I insist. Because it’s true. I’m buzzed, but not drunk. And I never stay out late, or hardly ever go out in the first place. I want to seize the day, keep having fun. “Aaron will make sure I get home safe, won’t you?”